Lisbon, March 16 (Prensa Latina) Cuba concluded its successful participation today in the Lisbon Tourism Exchange as the international guest destination, consolidating its position in the Portuguese market and strengthening ties with important players in the sector.
Interviewed by Prensa Latina, Cuban Tourism Advisor for Spain and Portugal, Niurka Pérez, described the event as historic, adding that it generated continued interest from the public and leisure industry professionals in the Caribbean country’s offerings.
This market has always welcomed us with great affection. There are Cuban lovers here, and our stand hasn’t stopped, he explained.
During the meeting, held from March 12 to 16, retail agencies that sell tour packages from Portugal to the largest of the Antilles registered intense activity, Pérez added, emphasizing that the European nation continues to support the island.
One of the main objectives of the Cuban delegation at the event, held at the Lisbon International Fair in the Parque das Nações, was to foster a more direct connection between the two countries, without relying exclusively on stopovers in Madrid.
We, of course, continue to try and look for ways to connect this market with Cuba, not only in the summer but throughout the rest of the year, he said.
According to Pérez, his country not only focused on promoting beaches and tourist destinations, but also encouraged the dissemination of its own culture and heritage.
Living up to what we’ve always expected from this market, people came to share with us the mojito, the Cuba Libre (two cocktails), the dancing, the Cuban songs, and that’s been great, he said.
He also noted that last year, the number of Portuguese tourists who traveled to the island was the highest in history, surpassing the 2019 figure prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This event, which fostered the exchange of ideas and knowledge, the signing of agreements, and the promotion of destinations, also served as an invitation to the Cuban International Tourism Fair, to be held from April 30 to May 3 in Havana.
To that end, Pérez emphasized, we took advantage of Cuban Night, which was attended by representatives from agencies, airlines, and hotel chains, as well as figures from the smoke-free industry in Portugal and Brazil.
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